There are countless food myths floating around, passed down through generations or spread by misinformation online. Some of these myths sound logical, while others are just flat-out bizarre. But in reality, many of the things we think we know about food are completely false. Let’s break down 10 of the most common food myths and separate fact from fiction.
1. Microwaving Food Kills All the Nutrients
The Myth: Heating food in a microwave destroys its nutritional value, making it unhealthy.
The Truth: This couldn’t be further from the truth! Microwaving food actually preserves more nutrients than boiling or frying. Since it cooks food quickly and with minimal water, it helps retain vitamins like Vitamin C and B vitamins, which are usually lost through long cooking times. So, next time you zap your leftovers, don’t worry—you’re not ruining your meal’s nutrition.
Microwaves don’t kill nutrients, they actually help preserve them.
2. Eggs Are Bad for Your Heart
The Myth: Eating eggs raises cholesterol and increases your risk of heart disease.
The Truth: While eggs do contain cholesterol, multiple studies have shown that they do not significantly raise blood cholesterol levels for most people. In fact, eggs can increase “good” HDL cholesterol and are packed with essential nutrients like choline, protein, and healthy fats. Unless you have a specific condition like familial hypercholesterolemia, eating eggs in moderation is completely safe.
Eggs are actually a great source of nutrition and don’t harm your heart.
3. Carrots Give You Night Vision
The Myth: Eating carrots will dramatically improve your eyesight, even letting you see in the dark.
The Truth: While carrots do contain Vitamin A, which is good for eye health, they won’t magically give you night vision. This myth actually started during World War II, when British pilots spread the rumor that they ate a lot of carrots to explain their excellent night-flying skills. In reality, they were using advanced radar technology—not carrots!
Carrots help with eye health, but they won’t turn you into a superhero.
4. MSG is Toxic and Causes Headaches
The Myth: MSG (monosodium glutamate) in Chinese food causes headaches, nausea, and other health problems.
The Truth: MSG is a naturally occurring compound found in foods like tomatoes, cheese, and mushrooms. The idea that MSG is dangerous originated from one flawed study in the 1960s, which was later debunked. Scientific research has found no clear evidence that MSG causes headaches or other health issues in the general population.
MSG is safe to consume and is naturally present in many foods.
5. Frozen and Canned Vegetables Are Less Nutritious Than Fresh Ones
The Myth: Only fresh fruits and vegetables are healthy—frozen and canned versions lose their nutrients.
The Truth: The moment a vegetable is picked, it starts losing nutrients. Frozen vegetables are flash-frozen at peak ripeness, which helps lock in their vitamins and minerals. Canned vegetables also retain their nutrients, though you should watch out for added salt or preservatives.
Frozen and canned veggies can be just as healthy as fresh ones.
6. Brown Sugar is Healthier Than White Sugar
The Myth: Brown sugar is a more natural and healthier alternative to white sugar.
The Truth: Brown sugar is simply white sugar with molasses added. The tiny mineral content in brown sugar is not enough to make any meaningful health difference. Both types have the same calorie count and affect blood sugar levels equally.
Brown sugar and white sugar are nutritionally almost identical.
7. Eating After 8 PM Causes Weight Gain
The Myth: Late-night eating leads to weight gain, no matter what you eat.
The Truth: Your body doesn’t store fat based on the time of day you eat. Weight gain happens when you consume more calories than you burn, regardless of whether you eat at noon or midnight. The real issue with late-night eating is that people often choose unhealthy snacks like chips or sugary treats instead of nutritious meals.
It’s not about when you eat—it’s about what and how much you eat.
8. Detox Drinks and Juices Flush Out Toxins
The Myth: Detox teas, juices, and special diets cleanse your body of toxins.
The Truth: Your liver and kidneys already do an amazing job of detoxing your body naturally. No juice cleanse or detox tea can replace these vital organs. In fact, many detox diets are nothing more than marketing scams that lack scientific evidence and can even deprive your body of essential nutrients.
Your body detoxes itself—you don’t need expensive drinks to help.
9. Coffee Stunts Your Growth
The Myth: Drinking coffee as a child or teenager will make you shorter.
The Truth: No scientific study has ever shown that coffee affects height. While caffeine can slightly reduce calcium absorption, it doesn’t impact bone growth enough to make a difference. Your height is primarily determined by genetics, not coffee consumption.
Coffee doesn’t make you shorter—it’s just a myth.
10. Spicy Foods Cause Stomach Ulcers
The Myth: Eating spicy foods leads to painful stomach ulcers.
The Truth: The main causes of stomach ulcers are H. pylori bacteria and excessive use of NSAIDs (like ibuprofen or aspirin)—not spicy food. While spicy foods can irritate an existing ulcer, they don’t create them. Some studies even suggest that capsaicin, the compound in chili peppers, might help protect the stomach lining!
Spicy foods don’t cause ulcers—bacteria and medication do.
Final Thoughts: Stop Believing These Food Myths!
With so much misinformation about food, it’s easy to believe things that aren’t true. However, science tells us that many common food myths are completely false. Understanding the truth can help you make better choices and enjoy your favorite foods without unnecessary fear.
So next time someone tells you that brown sugar is healthier or that microwaves destroy nutrients, you’ll know the real facts!
